Using genetics and florescent proteins to study how plants function

Summary:

In this video, Dan Leuchtman explains how scientists study the function of proteins inside the cells of plants

He introduces phototropism, a behavior in plants where they move toward light. In order to study which proteins are involved in this behavior, scientists use florescent tags that glow under UV-light to detect them. Dan illustrates this process for his audience while introducing them to basic molecular biology.

Length:

60 minutes

Information about the Author:

Daniel Leuchtman is a graduate student in Biological Sciences working in the Liscum lab.

For his dissertation, Dan is studying how the immune system of plants responds to light signals.